Last election for Marathi manoos: Raj Thackeray ahead of BMC polls
The upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls have set the stage for a high-stakes battle in Mumbai, with key players vying for power and influence in the city. In a significant development, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has announced that he and his cousin, Uddhav Thackeray, have joined forces to contest the elections. This unexpected alliance has sent shockwaves throughout the political landscape of Maharashtra, with Raj Thackeray warning that “this is the last election for Marathi manoos” and that the fate of Mumbai hangs in the balance.
According to Raj Thackeray, the alliance between MNS and Uddhav’s faction of the Shiv Sena is a response to the perceived dangers facing Mumbai. “Mumbai is facing danger,” he said, “and we have come together to contest elections.” This statement suggests that Raj Thackeray believes the city is at a critical juncture, and that the upcoming polls will determine its future trajectory. He further emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that “if a mistake is made now, the battle for Mumbai will be lost forever.” This dire warning underscores the high stakes involved in the BMC polls and the importance of the alliance between MNS and Uddhav’s faction.
Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray has launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing the party of peddling “fake” Hindutva and nationalism. This criticism is likely aimed at the BJP’s attempts to project itself as a champion of Hindu interests and national pride. By labeling the BJP’s ideology as “fake,” Uddhav Thackeray is attempting to undermine the party’s credibility and appeal to voters who may be skeptical of the BJP’s claims.
The alliance between MNS and Uddhav’s faction of the Shiv Sena is a significant development in the run-up to the BMC polls. The Shiv Sena, which has traditionally been a dominant force in Mumbai politics, has been split between Uddhav’s faction and the faction led by Eknath Shinde, who defected to the BJP. The MNS, on the other hand, has been a key player in Maharashtra politics, with Raj Thackeray being a vocal advocate for the rights of the Marathi-speaking population.
The BMC polls are expected to be a closely contested affair, with multiple parties and alliances vying for control of the municipal corporation. The polls will be a crucial test of strength for the various parties involved, including the MNS, Shiv Sena, BJP, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The outcome of the polls will have significant implications for the future of Mumbai, with the winning party or alliance set to shape the city’s development agenda and governance structure.
Raj Thackeray’s warning that “this is the last election for Marathi manoos” suggests that he believes the future of the Marathi-speaking population in Mumbai is at stake. The MNS has traditionally been a champion of Marathi rights and interests, and Raj Thackeray’s statement implies that the party is committed to protecting and promoting these interests in the face of perceived threats from other groups.
The alliance between MNS and Uddhav’s faction of the Shiv Sena is likely to have significant implications for the BMC polls. The two parties have a combined strength of several dozen corporators, and their alliance could potentially upset the calculations of other parties, including the BJP and the NCP. The alliance may also lead to a realignment of political forces in Maharashtra, with potential implications for the state’s governance structure and development agenda.
In conclusion, the upcoming BMC polls are set to be a high-stakes battle, with key players vying for power and influence in Mumbai. The alliance between MNS and Uddhav’s faction of the Shiv Sena has added a new dimension to the polls, with Raj Thackeray warning that “this is the last election for Marathi manoos.” The outcome of the polls will have significant implications for the future of Mumbai, and it remains to be seen how the various parties and alliances will fare in the contest.
News Source: https://repository.inshorts.com/articles/en/PTI/d8b9be65-7833-4fcd-8217-a114db19062c
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